News

Our Norman died in the battle for D-Day

THE sister of a soldier killed in the Normandy landings has transcribed the harrowing diary he wrote.

Norman Bottoms’s mum begged him not to join the Army, and follow in the footsteps of his father Harry.

Harry had been wounded during the First World War and despite returning home to Artillery Street, Colchester, he never recovered and died aged 34.

Sportsman Norman, 19, joined up with two friends in Colchester in May 1939 and spent the next five years as a signaller in the 147 Essex Yeomanry Regiment, working on communication lines along the UK coastline.

His first posting abroad was on June 6, 1944 – D-Day.

Read the full story in today's Gazette.

Comments (3)

Every man and woman that helped in some way with that momentous day in 1944 should be honoured. They gave for our future. Selfless. We owe so much to them all. One amazing feat and evidence that in times of trouble, we as a nation can sustain and overcome any adversity. A wonderful story. Thanks Gazette for sharing it with us.

Every man and woman that helped in some way with that momentous day in 1944 should be honoured. They gave for our future. Selfless. We owe so much to them all. One amazing feat and evidence that in times of trouble, we as a nation can sustain and overcome any adversity. A wonderful story. Thanks Gazette for sharing it with us.Ozzie

4 years ago,when I was a cab driver, I picked up an elderly chap with his shopping & we got talking about the war, he lived on Welshwood park Road & when we got to his little bungalow he asked if I could help him in with his shopping which I was more than happy to oblige. When we were inside he said would I like to see some of his war time photos? I was quite excited to be honest but couldn't have imagined what he was going to show me!
On the wall was a personal & signed letter from King George VI !!! & below was an old black & white picture of a bunch of chaps sat on some grass, one of which he pointed out was himself, it turned out he was one of the members of the extended team who planned the D-Day landings!
What a wonderful & unassuming old boy he was & what a day it turned out for me.
We all owe everything to these people from top to bottom.

4 years ago,when I was a cab driver, I picked up an elderly chap with his shopping & we got talking about the war, he lived on Welshwood park Road & when we got to his little bungalow he asked if I could help him in with his shopping which I was more than happy to oblige. When we were inside he said would I like to see some of his war time photos? I was quite excited to be honest but couldn't have imagined what he was going to show me!
On the wall was a personal & signed letter from King George VI !!! & below was an old black & white picture of a bunch of chaps sat on some grass, one of which he pointed out was himself, it turned out he was one of the members of the extended team who planned the D-Day landings!
What a wonderful & unassuming old boy he was & what a day it turned out for me.
We all owe everything to these people from top to bottom.angus_mcoat_up